Victorian-South Australian link powering up for the future

WORK has started on upgrading the region’s largest power grid station, located between Heywood and Heathmere.

The electricity interconnector provides a link between the Victorian and South Australian power grids with $45 million to be spent over the next 12 months to upgrade the site.

More than 70 full-time positions will be created through the upgrade work, which at the Heywood site is expected to be completed by mid-next year. Premier Denis Napthine recently visited the site and met technicians and other staff.

The South West Coast MP said the upgraded transmission links will increase the capacity of the network to transfer power between state grids.

“Once this project is completed, we will have the capacity to transfer 40 per cent more power between state grids in both directions,” Dr Napthine said.

“Apart from the 75 jobs created, there’ll be the spin-off for local shops, cafés and accommodation providers.”

The Heywood station was opened in 1988 as the main 275- kilovolt interconnector between Victoria and South Australia.